April 25, 2025
In loving memory ~
"The highest forms of understanding we can achieve are laughter and human compassion."—R. Feynman.
Arthur Leo Charbonneau, aged 85, took his final journey on April 25, 2025. Ever the pragmatist, after suffering a stroke, he mused that there was not much to be done and asked to go home, where he passed surrounded and very much loved by his family. Art was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Mary and George Charbonneau on August 20, 1939, the second youngest of eight siblings.
He was cared for through early ill health by his older sisters, embarking on a boyhood fueled by a mix of curiosity, mischief and fierce intellect. Whether building and then testing model planes to the point of destruction, or debating religion with the unamused nuns at school, Art always questioned why things were as they were. From his father, he took an early interest in photography which became a life- long hobby.
Art earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Alberta in 1961 and pursued further studies at the University of Minnesota's renowned St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory, specializing in hydraulic model studies. Art returned to Edmonton in 1965 with a master's degree and as husband to Alice (nee Busch) Charbonneau. Alice had worked briefly as a secretary at the Laboratory before moving to California to take a teaching job. Smitten by her beauty and resourcefulness, Art courted her and convinced her to marry him. After returning to Alberta, in 1967 Art and his business partner Dick Cooper founded Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd., establishing a lab in a modest warehouse bay where they built the company from the ground up into a world class consulting firm, always with a spirit of camaraderie and good humour. In 1981, Art moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, where he consulted part-time. Art's passion for public service led him into politics in the late 1980s. In 1991, he was elected to the British Columbia legislature, where he served as Minister of Transportation and Highways, briefly as Minister of Forests, and then as Minister of Education for the NDP.
Married for 58 years before Alice's death in 2023, Art and Alice raised two daughters and were doting grandparents to three grandchildren.
Their house was filled with Grampa's laughter and love of learning and Grandma's collection of books and toys, and their RV was always ready to go for a camping adventure. In later years, Art and Alice made their home in Nanaimo, BC, where Art enjoyed computers, gardening, amateur astronomy, crossword puzzles and card games.
Predeceased by Alice, his parents and his siblings, Art is survived by two children, Lynne and Jennifer (Sean). He will always be in the hearts of his grandchildren Makenna, Ethan and Kristin.
We would like to thank the remarkable staff at Astoria Suites at Origin Longwood for their dedication, love and care for our father over the past three years.
The family will host a celebration of life this summer, simple and joyful as per Art's wishes, with details to be announced.
Art, we are picturing you now, driving off in your red 240Z Datsun, with a TRS-80, bag of pretzels, deck of cards and guitar on board, going to find Alice.
